Additional Spraying Scheduled, West Nile Risk Level Elevated in Pittsfield
According to the City of Pittsfield, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health has confirmed the presence of West Nile Virus in mosquito samples for two consecutive weeks.
In addition, the risk level for Pittsfield in regards to West Nile has been elevated from low to moderate.
Following a spraying within a one mile radius at the intersection of Elm and Williams Streets earlier in the week, another spraying has been scheduled for this coming week in a different area.
"To reduce the mosquito population and potential for infection, truck-mounted mosquito spray application is scheduled for 10 p.m.- midnight, Monday, July 23 on roads within a one-mile radius of Route 41 and Route 20 intersection (Route 41 to Richmond line; Route 20 to and including Callahan Drive; Cloverdale Street and Branch Street; Southpond Drive, Thistledown, Scace, Sunny Croft, Windmere)," says City Officials in a release.
"In the event of rain, spraying may be rescheduled for the evening of Wednesday, July 25."
The spraying will be done after dusk when mosquitos are most active. Although no human cases of West Nile have been reported in Massachusetts this year, there are precautions that should be taken:
• When outdoors, wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and socks.
• Use a repellent with DEET according to the instructions on the product label.
• Keep mosquitoes out of your house by repairing holes in screens and making sure screens fit tightly to doors and windows.
• Schedule outdoor events to avoid the hours between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are most active.
• Remove areas of standing water around your home twice a week to eliminate sources of mosquito breeding.
Residents may request to be excluded from pesticide application by submitting an Exclusion Request Form which you can find here. The form is also available by contacting the Berkshire County Mosquito Control Project at 413-447-9808 or berkmc@bcn.net.